Visual displays and TelePresence embodiments with perception of depth using a curved surface reflected backdrop

ABSTRACT

System and method for a visual display system with a two-way mirror, which is between the observation zone and the image display device, positioned at an angle to reflect a backdrop surface that may be wider than the image display device or a backdrop with mirrored sides to extend the visual perception of the backdrop surface. A camera may be included with the visual display system for telepresence applications. The two-way mirror may extend into wall panels on the sides to form a room that appears to extend in depth by the reflection of the wall panels and a backdrop panel.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/789,131, filed on May 27, 2010, entitled “Visual Displays andTelePresence Embodiments with Perception of Depth,” which claimspriority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/308,566, filed on Feb. 26, 2010, entitled “Visual Displays andTelePresence Embodiments with Perception of Depth” and U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/227,377, filed on Jul. 21, 2009, entitled “VisualDisplays and TelePresence Embodiments with Perception of Depth,” whichapplications are hereby incorporated in their entireties herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to visual displays. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to visual display systemsthat have a perception of depth between the displayed imagery and asuperimposed background.

BACKGROUND

There is a need for new display systems that will attract attention formarketing and promotional purposes. In an age where video monitors usedfor digital signage are omnipresent in businesses, stores and publicplaces, it is difficult to catch the eye of consumers and businessprospects. One approach is to install visual display systems thatgenerate three dimensional imagery. These 3D display systems are moreeffective at standing out from other flat display systems.

Most prior art systems are limited in their effectiveness. Lenticulararrays placed on photographic prints or backlit transparencies withvertical strips of images can produce stereoscopic imagery. These samelenticular arrays that are aligned to vertical rows of pixels in highdefinition LCD monitors can produce moving autostereoscopic images. Bothof these display systems are limited in resolution as a singlestereoscopic image comprised of multiple views with offset perspectives.

Another technique originated in the 1800's is a Pepper's Ghost display.A two-way mirror is used to superimpose a reflected image into a threedimensional setting. This has the distinct limitation of controlling thelighting of the three dimensional setting and, therefore, is notpractical in most locations for commercial applications.

These Pepper's Ghost configurations do not meet the requirements ofmedia savvy consumers and business executives. There is a need to beable to integrate high definition imagery in a format that is notcompromised by lighting conditions in public places. Furthermore, thereis a need to provide visual display systems that connect to the globalnetworks to provide live content and engaging two-way communication.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problems and needs outlined above are addressed by preferredembodiments of the present invention. In accordance with one aspect ofthe present invention, there is provided an image display device thatmay be viewed through a two-way mirror. The embodiment of the inventionmay be in the configuration of a kiosk. The two-way mirror may be angledso that the reflection is viewed of an enclosure above. This enclosuremay have a backdrop.

The backdrop is positioned further from the two-way mirror than theimage display device. When viewed the user will see the direct view ofthe image display device through the two-way mirror with thesuperimposed reflection of the backdrop enclosure. Because of thepositions of the image display device and the backdrop relative to thetwo-way mirror, the image display device will appear to be closer thanthe superimposed reflection of the backdrop, which will result in ameasurable depth relationship.

The backdrop may have sides that extend from the edge of the plane ofthe backdrop toward the two-way mirror. The edge close to the two-waymirror may be the same distance from the two-way mirror as the forwardedge of the sides of the image display device. In this configuration thesuperimposed reflected image of the sides of the extension of thebackdrop may be perceived to match in alignment to the direct view ofthe black edge of the image display device. As a result, the visibleedge will be the brighter image of the edge of the extension of thebackdrop. This will give the impression that the image on the imagedisplay device is floating within the box formed by the reflected sidesof the backdrop. The sides of the backdrop extension may be light enoughin value and illuminated adequately to provide a visual presence that isbrighter than the black surface of the image display device.

This display configuration may be most effective if the image displayedon the image display device is a bright subject surrounded by black.This could be produced by having a well lit person captured on camerawith a black backdrop behind them. In addition to images of people, itcan be very effective to display photographic or computer generatedimages of objects on a black background. Other depth cues, such as amotion sequence of rotating a three dimensional object or 3D graphics,can augment the 3D visual effect. When the frame of the image displaydevice is covered with light absorbing material, such as black felt, thesurrounding black area of the image on the image display device and theblack frame will not be seen as a light surface. When the reflectedbackdrop is superimposed in the view the user will more clearly see thereflection of the illuminated backdrop than the black area of the imagedisplay device.

In another embodiment of the invention the sides of the extension of thebackdrop enclosure may each be covered with a mirror. The mirrors willreflect the backdrop so that it appears to extend outward as a series ofreflections of the backdrop. This can eliminate the visual effect of theforeground image on the image display device from appearing to becontained in a box. It may be possible to place the kiosk or otherembodiment of the invention at a position that is a set distance from awall, which matches the distance to the viewed reflection of thebackdrop. In this manner the backdrop and the wall may appear to be oneseamless vertical plane.

In another aspect of the present invention the backdrop may be placedbelow a two-way mirror. This has the advantage of minimizing the overallheight of a kiosk or other configuration of the invention.

In yet another aspect of the present invention the mirrored sides of theextension for the backdrop are angled inward and form the shape oftrapezoids. The reflections in the mirrored sides of the backdropextensions are repeated at an angle that results in a visual effect of avery large sphere. When the backdrop is an image display device that canshow moving sequences, the large sphere can be filled with therepetition of the moving images.

The inward angle of the sides may be calculated to determine an exactsize of the visual sphere. This radius may be determined by theprojection of the angle of the mirrored sides to converge at theposition of the center of the sphere.

Small sources of light, such as fiber optic ends or small LED lights,can protrude through points in the mirror to create a visual effect of astar field appearing to float outside of the visual sphere.

In a more advanced aspect of the present invention, a camera, codec,speaker and microphone may be integrated into the visual display system,such as a kiosk. This communications equipment may be used to transmitand display live images of people for two-way communication. When thepresenter is captured with an eye level camera system, such as ateleprompter or telepresence system using a two-way mirror, the user atthe kiosk may see a live person at life-size to interact in two-waycommunication with perceived eye contact.

One advantage of this telepresence kiosk is that it may be used topresent a company representative in an office location. As an example, atelepresence kiosk could be used as a reception desk for a receptionistto appear in a reception lobby. Rather than employing a receptionist forevery lobby in a large organization, one receptionist could provideservices to many lobbies through telepresence. This same telepresencekiosk could be used at night by security guards to monitor activities atthe entrances to numerous building locations.

Another advantage of the telepresence kiosk is that it could providecustomer support in stores, shopping malls or public places. Thetelepresence kiosk could be used by customers to reach technicalspecialists or customer services representatives. By being connected toa national telepresence network with company representatives attelepresence centers, a customer at a telepresence kiosk could gainaccess to many company representatives that may not be at each storelocation.

Another aspect of the present invention may be in the embodiment of atelepresence module. This may be similar to the size of a photo booth,but with two-way communications equipment. The telepresence module mayhave a camera positioned below a two-way mirror. This camera may have areflected view upward by means of a front surface mirror or roof prism.This upward camera view may be reflected forward off a two-way mirror tothe area of a user. Behind the user may be a black panel or a Chromakeybackground.

It may be advantageous to keep the size of the telepresence module to aminimum. However, the user should not feel as if they are in a confinedspace, such as a telephone booth or typical photo booth. This embodimentof the present invention creates an illusion that the telepresencemodule is actually twice as large as its physical size. This may beachieved with the placement of a vertical mirror above the two-waymirror. It may be possible to match the reflected upper portion of theroom in the upper mirror with the position of the vertical wall sectionreflected in the two-way mirror to create the illusion of a continuouswall at the far side of the telepresence module. This has the distinctadvantage of giving the users the perception of being in a spacious roomwhile keeping the cost of the telepresence module to a minimum to reducethe cost of construction and minimize the space required for theinstallation.

With the extension of the two-way mirror into the sides of the walls,the user will not see the edges of the two-way mirror. With a speciallydesigned pattern on the wall it may be possible to obscure the locationof the intersection of the two-way mirror with the side walls.

Embodiments of the present invention incorporate innovations for theincorporation of collaboration systems in the telepresence experience.This may be a table with touch screens, Microsoft Surface systems, orother collaborative solutions. These may be positioned so that the usersare still clearly visible on camera. Internal lighting may be positionedto avoid reflections on the collaborative work surface.

In another embodiment of the present invention a larger telepresencemodule or room may incorporate one or more additional rows of seating.With this larger configuration groups will be able to communicate witheye contact.

One application of the telepresence modules is for a large scale networkof public access telepresence locations. By having telepresence modulesinstalled in numerous facilities around the country and eventuallyaround the world, people could engage in an improved form ofcommunication. This could drive new business models for deliveringservices. This concept of telepresence network architecture is presentedin detail in patent application Ser. No. 11/860,366, filed on Sep. 24,2007, entitled “3-D Displays and TelePresence Systems and MethodsTherefore” by White, which application is hereby incorporated herein byreference for all purposes.

In another aspect of the present invention the overhead backdrop may beformed in a concave curve to serve as a reflector to focus sound from anaudio speaker. This configuration can solve a critical need for a kioskthat serves as a communications solution. Most kiosks are located inpublic places where there is ambient noise. This poses a problem forusers of a kiosk for communication since it may be difficult to hear therepresentative displayed on the system. If the volume is increased thismay be objectionable to the staff and customers in the store.Furthermore, the user may not want the conversation broadcast in thepublic area to be heard by other people. This problem may be solved byfocusing the sound to the zone of the head of the user. By calculatingthe curvature of the overhead panel it may be possible to reflect thesound projected from an audio speaker to zone of the head of the user.

Another advantage of the concave backdrop is that it can reflect thevoice of the user to a focal point that may be the location of amicrophone. In this manner the voice of the user can be captured fortransmission to the location of the representative appearing on thekiosk. This is particularly important for two way communication with auser located in a public place with ambient noise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above features of the present invention will be more clearlyunderstood from consideration of the following descriptions inconnection with accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the present invention with auser viewing forward to see a reflection in a two-way mirror of anenclosure extending upward to position a backdrop a distance from theimage display device;

FIG. 2 illustrates the perceived position of the reflected enclosure andbackdrop as they are viewed to appear a distance behind the imagedisplay device;

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the invention with a reflected viewin a two-way mirror of an enclosure with internal mirrored sides and abackdrop at the back of the enclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates the perceived position of the mirrored enclosure asit is reflected in the two-way mirror to have an extended plane of thebackdrop appear to match the position of a wall located behind thekiosk;

FIG. 5 illustrates a plan view of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 6 illustrates a plan view of FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 7 illustrates another plan view of FIGS. 3 and 4 with a userviewing offset to the side;

FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the invention with the backdropenclosure positioned below the two-way mirror;

FIG. 9 illustrates the perceived location of the reflected enclosurewith a backdrop;

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of the invention with a reflected viewin a two-way mirror of an enclosure with mirrored sides to reflect abackdrop image;

FIG. 11 illustrates the perceived position of the mirrored enclosure asit is reflected in the two-way mirror to have an extended plane of thebackdrop with multiple reflections appear to match the position of awall located behind the kiosk;

FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of the invention with an upwardreflected view in a two-way mirror of an enclosure with mirrored sidesin a trapezoidal shape angled inward to reflect a backdrop with multiplereflections forming an image in a spherical pattern;

FIG. 13 illustrates the perceived position of the mirrored enclosure inFIG. 12 as seen as a reflection in the two-way mirror;

FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment of the invention with a downwardreflected view in a two-way mirror of an enclosure with mirrored sidesin a trapezoidal shape angled inward to reflect a backdrop image forminga spherical pattern;

FIG. 15 illustrates the perceived position of the mirrored enclosure inFIG. 14;

FIG. 16 illustrates a plan view of FIGS. 14 and 15;

FIG. 17 illustrates an embodiment of FIGS. 14 through 16 and FIGS. 8through 11 with the addition of an interactive device, camera,microphone and speaker;

FIG. 18 illustrates an embodiment of FIGS. 41 through 7 and FIGS. 12through 13 with the addition of an interactive device, camera,microphone and speaker;

FIG. 19 illustrates an embodiment of the invention with a seated personviewed by a camera;

FIG. 20 illustrates the view of the user with a reflection of a sectionof the floor in the two-way mirror and a reflection of the back wallwhereas both of the reflections appear to be on the same vertical plane;

FIG. 21 illustrates a side wall with a pattern of lines at 45 degreesmatching the angle of the two-way mirror;

FIG. 22 illustrates the pattern of lines at 45 degrees with an extensionof this pattern as a reflection in the two-way mirror;

FIG. 23 illustrates the pattern of lines as a series of slats with aspace between the front surface of the two-way mirror and a repetitionof this space as twice as wide between subsequent slats;

FIG. 24 illustrates the reflection of the pattern of slats with thespace between them appearing to be equal in all positions;

FIG. 25 illustrates the wall surface covered with a series of lines at45 degrees with the correct repetition of the pattern in the 45 degreetwo-way mirror, but an incorrect orientation reflected in a verticalmirror;

FIG. 26 illustrates the pattern of FIG. 25 with another set of lines at135 degrees to produce a pattern of squares turned at 45 degrees thatappears to be consistent in all direct viewing and reflected viewing;

FIG. 27 illustrates the lighting of the display system with the downwardlight reflecting off a work surface into the eyes of the user;

FIG. 28 illustrates the light of FIG. 27 with a device to direct it at45 degrees toward a vertical mirror;

FIG. 29 illustrates the direction of the lighting in FIG. 28 as itilluminates the user without shining directly on the work surface;

FIG. 30 illustrates a second light at the back of the system thatilluminates the top of the user without reflecting off the work surfaceinto the eyes of the user;

FIG. 31 illustrates a plan view of FIGS. 19 through 30;

FIG. 32 illustrates a larger version of the display system of FIGS. 19through 31 with placement of two rows of users; and

FIG. 33 illustrates a plan view of FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 illustrates a side view with an extended depth of the backdrop;

FIG. 35 illustrates a side view of FIG. 34 with the reflected backdropmatching the position of the plane of a vertical wall panel;

FIG. 36 illustrates the width of the backdrop in a plan view of FIGS. 34and 35;

FIG. 37 illustrates a plan view of FIG. 36 with the user view off thecentral axis;

FIG. 38 illustrates a side view with a backdrop in the form of a concavesurface;

FIG. 39 illustrates FIG. 38 with a supporting structure;

FIG. 40 illustrates a side view with the radius of the curved backdropintercepting the plane of the beamsplitter at 90 degrees to produce aperception of the extension of the curved backdrop as a seamless curveinto the area of the reflected backdrop;

FIG. 41 illustrates a front view with a concave curved backdrop;

FIG. 42 illustrates a plan view of FIG. 41;

FIG. 43 illustrates a side view with sound from an audio speaker beingfocused by the reflection in the curved backdrop toward the user;

FIG. 44 illustrates a front view with sound from an audio speaker beingfocused by the reflection in the curved backdrop toward the user;

FIG. 45 illustrates a side view of FIGS. 43 and 44 with sound from theuser being focused by the reflection in the curved backdrop toward themicrophone;

FIG. 46 illustrates a front view with sound from the user being focusedby the reflection in the curved backdrop toward the microphone;

FIG. 47 illustrates a side view with a camera viewing the user and atouch screen interface with a light illuminating the backdrop and anacoustic panel;

FIG. 48 illustrates a side view of FIG. 47 with a user in a wheel chair;

FIG. 49 illustrates a side view with mirrored panels on the sides of thecurved overhead backdrop;

FIG. 50 illustrates a plan view of FIG. 49 with the curved backdropreflected in the mirrored sides;

FIG. 51 illustrates a perspective view of FIGS. 49 and 50;

FIG. 52 illustrates a perspective view of FIGS. 6 and 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers are usedto designate like elements throughout the various views, severalembodiments of the present invention are further described. The figuresare not necessarily drawn to scale, and in some instances, the drawingshave been exaggerated or simplified for illustrative purposes only. Oneof ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the many possibleapplications and variations of the present invention based on thefollowing examples of possible embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a kiosk 14, however the same innovations of embodiments ofthe invention could be applied to a large fixed installation within abuilding, a theatrical set on a stage, a small retail display on acounter, or many other configurations.

In this illustration a user 1 stands next to a kiosk 14 and looksforward with an angle of view 4, which is reflected on a two-way mirror2 angled to view a reflection of a backdrop enclosure 7. The two-waymirror 2 may be a transparent substrate with a semi-reflective surface.It is preferred that the semi-reflective surface is on the front exposedsurface of the transparent substrate. The transparent substrate may be asheet of glass, plastic, Mylar, stretched film or other transparentmaterial. A two-way mirror 2 may also be called a one-way mirror orbeamsplitter.

The user may see through the two-way mirror 2 to an image display device3, which may be a plasma monitor, CRT monitor, LCD monitor, OLEDmonitor, rear projection screen, front projection screen or other devicecapable of generating a computer generated, film or video image.

The backdrop enclosure 7 has a horizontal plane that is viewed from theinside at a backdrop surface 5. The backdrop may be a front illuminatedsurface, which could be a graphic or photographic image. It could be anopaque surface, such as wood, concrete, fabric, cardboard, etc. Thebackdrop could be a flat surface or could have variations in depth toprovide texture or artistic sculptural forms. The backdrop could be aback illuminated graphic or photographic image. Or it could be a backilluminated surface that could have translucency and/or transparency.The backdrop could be an image display device showing a series of staticimages or full motion imagery or it could be a set of multiple imagedisplay devices. The backdrop could be a combination of several surfacesand/or image devices.

In FIG. 2 a user 1 looks forward at an angle of view 4 to view through atwo-way mirror 2 to see an image plane on an image display device 3,which appears closer than a reflected backdrop 6. The user 1 views thesides of the backdrop enclosure 8 and the reflected backdrop 6 to becontained by the sides of the enclosure 8.

In FIG. 3 the user 1 views forward with an angle of view 4, which isreflected on a two-way mirror 2 angled to view a reflection of abackdrop enclosure that has mirrored sides 9. The mirrors on the sidesof the enclosure 9 reflect inward to repeat a portion of the backdrop 10and these reflections appear to extend the sides 11. As a result, thesurface of backdrop 5 appears to be extended by the reflections 11 toachieve an apparent total backdrop surface 12.

In FIG. 4 the user 1 views forward with an angle of view 4 to seethrough the two-way mirror 2 to see the image plane 3 appearing to becloser than the total backdrop reflection surface 13. It is possible toposition the kiosk 14 a distance from a wall 15 to match the apparentlocation of the plane of the reflected backdrop 13. The reflectedbackdrop 13 could have colors, patterns and textures to look similar tothe surface of the wall 15 to give the impression that both are part ofthe same surface.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of FIG. 2. The user 1 is viewing forward with anangle of view 4 that sees through a two-way mirror 2 to the full widthof the image display 3. This view 4 includes the view of the reflectedsides of the backdrop enclosure 8 with the reflected backdrop 6 at theback. Since the reflected sides of the backdrop enclosure 8 extend as avisible plane back to the reflected backdrop surface 6, the user viewsan enclosed box with the reflected backdrop 6 at the back of it.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of FIGS. 3 and 4 with the user 1 viewing forwardwith an angle of view 4 to see through the two-way mirror 2 to the planeof the image display device 3 and a superimposed view of the reflectedbackdrop enclosure with an extended backdrop 13. The kiosk 14 can bepositioned a distance from a wall 15 so that they appear to be on thesame plane. In this plan view it is possible to see that the plane ofthe reflected backdrop 13 appears to extend out to the edge of the wallsurface 15. Therefore, the user 1 sees the wall 15 and the reflectedbackdrop 13 appearing to be a seamless surface.

FIG. 7 is the same as FIG. 6 except that the user 1 is viewing from aposition offset to the side. In this offset angle of view 17 the user 1sees through the two-way mirror 2 to see the image display plane 3closer than the superimposed reflected backdrop surface 13. This view 17shows that the overall reflected backdrop 13 extends in the same planeas the wall 15. As a result, the user has a visual effect that the wallsurface 15 and the reflected backdrop extended surface 13 are a seamlessplane even when viewed from an offset angle.

FIG. 8 is similar to FIGS. 1 and 2 except that the backdrop enclosure 7is below the two-way mirror 2 in the base of the kiosk 14. When the user1 views forward with an angle of view 4 the two-way mirror 2 reflects aview downward toward the sides of a backdrop enclosure 7 and a backdrop5. The user 1 also sees through the two-way mirror 2 to see the imageplane 3. An opaque hood 20 may be positioned above the two-way mirror 2to minimize light falling on the image plane 3.

In FIG. 9 the user 1 looks forward with an angle of view 4 that viewsthrough the two-way mirror 2 to see the image display 3 and thereflected backdrop enclosure with walls 8 and the backdrop 6. Thereflected walls 8 contain the reflected backdrop 6 to be viewed at theback of a box.

In FIG. 10 the user 1 views forward in the angle of view 4 to see thereflection in the two-way mirror 2 of the mirrored sides of the backdropenclosure 9 to see the backdrop 5 with reflections to create an extendedbackdrop plane 12.

FIG. 11 illustrates the user 1 viewing forward in the angle of view 4 tosee through the two-way mirror 2 to see the image display 3 with thereflection of the extended backdrop 13. The kiosk 14 may be positionedto be the same distance from the wall 15 as the plane of the reflectedbackdrop 13.

FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of the invention that is similar to FIGS. 3through 7, except that the mirrored sides of the backdrop enclosure 19are trapezoids that are tapered inward. An edge of each mirror 19adjoins an edge of the backdrop 5 such that the surface of each mirror19 and the surface of the backdrop 5 form an obtuse angle at the linewhere the edges adjoin. In this illustration the user 1 views forwardwith an angle of view 4 toward a two-way mirror 2, which reflects themirrored sides of the backdrop enclosure 20. These mirrored sides 19reflect the backdrop 5 to display the reflected backdrop segments 25.Since the mirrored sides 19 are angled inward relative to the backdrop5, they reflect at an angle away from the plane of the backdrop 5. Withsuccessive reflections of the mirrored sides 19 in a first repetition 26and a second repetition 27 the extension of the backdrop 22 starts toform a spherical image.

FIG. 13 shows the view of the user 1 looking forward with an angle ofview 4 toward the two-way mirror 2 with a view of the reflection of theextended backdrop 23 as it forms a spherical image.

FIG. 14 shows an embodiment with the mirrored sides 19 and the backdrop5 below the two-way mirror 2. Since the sides of the mirrored sides 19are longer, the visible area of the overall backdrop image 22 shows agreater portion of the sphere. The length of the mirrored sides may bethree or four feet depending on how much space is available in the kioskstructure.

FIG. 15 shows the user 1 with the angle of view 4 of the reflectedbackdrop enclosure sides 25 with the successive reflections 26 and 27forming a spherical image with a visible area of the sphere 23. In thisillustration the lines 37 represent the extension of the planes of thereflected mirrors of the backdrop enclosure 25 as they extend to aconvergence at point 38. This point 38 can be used to determine theradius 37 of the visual image of the sphere.

FIG. 16 shows a plan view of FIGS. 14 and 15. In this view the user 1has a wider angle of view 4 since the image display device 3 is ahorizontal image with an aspect ratio that is wider than it is high.With this wider angle of view 4 the user can see the reflection in thetwo-way mirror 2 as a segment of a full spherical image. This sphericalimage is created by the successive reflections of the backdrop 6reflected by the mirrors 21 and repetitions in 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30.Light sources 89 that are passed through the sides of the mirrored panel21 will be repeated in the successive reflections of the sides 90. Theselights can be fibre optic ends or small LED lights. The reflected lights90 could form a starfield that would appear to surround the sphericalimage.

FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of the invention with a camera 40 with acamera angle of view 45 viewing the user 1 through the two-way mirror 2.A hood 20 above the two-way mirror is black so that it does not addlight to the camera view 45 as it is reflected in the two-way mirror 2.A speaker 41 and microphone 42 are added to the system for audiocommunication. A keyboard or interactive panel 43 is placed in aconvenient location for a user 1. A clear transparent panel 18, such asa laminated anti-reflective glass panel, may be positioned at the frontof the kiosk 14 so that it is closed on all sides to keep people fromreaching inside or dropping items inside the backdrop enclosure. Sidepanels 48 may cover the sides of the kiosk in the area of the two-waymirror 2. These side panels 48 may be transparent substrates, such asclear plastic or laminated glass for safety. Side panels 48 of glass mayhave an anti-reflective coating.

FIG. 18 shows another embodiment of the invention with a camera 40 withan angle of view 45. The user 1 can interact with a keyboard or touchscreen 43. A microphone 42 and speaker 41 may be incorporated for audiocommunication.

FIG. 19 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in a telepresencemodule 53, which is a complete self-contained telepresence system withinan enclosure to hold one or more users 1. A camera 40 views forward to areflective device 49, such as a front surface mirror or roof prism,which reflects the camera view 45 upward to the two-way mirror 2. Abovethe two-way mirror 2 is a light absorbing black panel 51 that will notadd light to the camera angle of view 45 that views through the two-waymirror 2. The camera view 52 that is a reflection off the two-way mirror2 views the user 1. The camera 40 has a line of sight 16 that positionsthe camera image of the user's eyes at approximately two-thirds of theheight of the camera frame. The bottom edge of the camera view 47 ispositioned to match the top edge of the table 46. The table 46 is angledto match the angle of the bottom edge of the camera view 47. The table46 may incorporate capabilities as a human-computer interface, such asan interactive touch screen, Microsoft Surface, pressure sensitivecommand pads, projection surface, proximity sensor array, etc. Thecamera view 52 continues past the user 1 to view a background surface 81on the back wall. This background surface 81 may be black to allow thecamera to capture an image of the user 1 surrounded by black, which istransmitted to the location of another telepresence system for displayof the user without an illuminated backdrop for being superimposed intoa 3D telepresence display with a physical background on a planepositioned behind the image plane of the displayed user. The backgroundsurface may alternatively be a Chromakey color to be used to replace thecolor with black through Chromakey video equipment.

FIG. 20 shows the views of the user 1. The user 1 looks forward on aneye level line of sight 16 through the two-way mirror 2 to the displayedimage plane 3. This image plane 3 may display a user from anotherlocation transmitted to appear on the image plane 3 with his or her eyesat approximately two-thirds of the height of the image plane 3. In thismanner the user 1 will have his or her eyes aligned on the eye levelline of sight 16 to match the position of the eyes of the displayedremote user to achieve an apparent eye contact.

The user 1 views forward with an angle of view 4 toward the two-waymirror 2 to see a reflection of a floor panel 5, which is reflected toappear to be at a location 6 behind the two-way mirror 2. The verticalpanel 63 is reflected in the two-way mirror 2 to appear as a horizontalpanel 64.

A mirror 58 is placed in a vertical plane above the top edge of thetwo-way mirror 2. As the user looks upward in the angle 59, it sees areflection in the mirror 58 of a portion of the back wall 61, whichappears to be in the location of 62. The back wall with the top section61 is positioned exactly at a distance from the mirror 58 that matchesthe location of the reflected wall section 62 in the same vertical planeas the location of the reflected floor panel 6. In this configurationthe user 1 sees the location of the reflected floor panel 6 and thelocation of the reflected back wall section 62 as a seamless verticalwall.

As the user 1 views further upward in the angle of view 60 it sees theceiling 54 reflected in the mirror 58 to appear in the position 55. Withthis configuration the user 1 will see both the ceiling 54 and thereflection of the ceiling 55 as a seamless ceiling.

In FIG. 21 the user 1 looks forward and to the side at a line of sight65 and below to view a section of wall 67 that is positioned below thetwo-way mirror 2. The section of wall 67 is comprised of constructionmaterial that has visible lines 66 running at a 45 degree angle that isparallel to the angle of the two-way mirror 2.

The two-way mirror 2 extends to the full width of the telepresencemodule and is extended into the wall for support. This insertion intothe wall produces a visible line at 45 degrees. It is desirable toobscure the awareness of the two-way mirror in order to achieve aperception that the reflection of the back wall is a true extension ofthe room.

In FIG. 22 the user 1 views upwards at a line of sight 65 and below tosee the section of wall 67 reflected in the two-way mirror 2 to appearin a position 68. The reflected visible lines 82 in the section ofreflected wall 68 appear to be parallel with the visible lines 66 in thewall section 67. In this configuration the wall section 67 and thereflected wall section 68 appear to be a continuous wall, which obscuresthe location of the visible insertion of the two-way mirror 2 into thewall.

FIG. 23 shows a close up detail of wall section 67 located below thetwo-way mirror 2. A narrow strip 70 is shown below the two-way mirror 2.This narrow strip 70 may be a darker value than the rest of the wallsection 67 and it may be recessed further back than the plane of thewall section 67. This narrow strip 70 is parallel with the front surfaceof the two-way mirror 2. At a distance from the narrow strip 70 is awider strip 71, which is parallel with the narrow strip 70 and thetwo-way mirror 2. The space between the narrow strip 70 and the widerstrip 71 is a wall segment 83 that may be lighter in value.

FIG. 24 shows a method for producing the visual effect of the wallsection 67 and reflected wall section 68 appearing to be a seamless wallwhile obscuring the 45 degree line produced by the insertion of thetwo-way mirror 2 into the wall. The narrow strip 70 is reflected in thetwo-way mirror 2 to appear as a reflection of another narrow strip 84.The narrow strip 70 may be dark in value and may be recessed into thewall section 67 so that the intersection of the two-way mirror 2 and thewall section 67 is not clearly visible. The result will be a dark stripthat is the width of the narrow strip 70 and the reflection of thenarrow strip 84. The wall segment 83 will be light in value and will bereflected in the two-way mirror 2 in the position of 85. A wider strip71 is reflected in the two-way mirror to be in position 86. The widerstrip 71 may match the combined width of the narrow strip 70 and thereflected narrow strip 84. The wider strip 71 will be reflected in thetwo-way mirror 2 as a reflection at the location of 86. The repetitionof wider strips 71 over the surface of the wall section 67 may give theimpression that the wall is comprised of wall segments 83. As anexample, the wall segment 83 could be a wooden board 83 that is runningat a 45 degree angle and the wall section 67 is comprised of boards witha space between them equal to the width of the strip 71. The resultingimpression may be that the wall section 67 and reflected wall section 68are a seamless wall of boards 83 running at 45 degrees.

A two-way mirror does not reflect 100% of light and therefore areflection in the two-way mirror 2 is not as bright as the object beingreflected. The wall section 67 will appear to be brighter than thereflected wall section 68. If the whole wall section 67 is the samebrightness value, the reflected wall section 68 will be uniformlydarker. In this arrangement it would be possible to see the location ofthe two-way mirror 2 at the division of the lighter wall section 67 andthe darker reflected wall section 68. Therefore, the wall would noteffectively obscure the location of the two-way mirror 2 and would notappear to be a seamless wall.

The challenge of producing a wall that appears to be seamless can besolved by specifying a pattern of different brightness values to thepattern of wall segments 83. It is possible to predict the perceivedbrightness of a reflected wall segment 85 compared to the direct view ofa wall segment 83. The amount of difference in brightness can be exactlydetermined by the percentage of reflectivity of the two-way mirror 2. Asan example, the reflected wall segment 85 may be half the brightness ofthe directly viewed wall segment 83. One configuration may be a seriesof wall segments 83 on the directly viewed wall 67 that decreases thebrightness by half for each wall segment for a sequence part way downthe wall and then increase the brightness as a repeated sequence. Asthis pattern of sequential changes of brightness is reflected in thewall section 68, it appears to be an extension of the sequence. Thereare numerous other patterns of variations in brightness that may achievethe same visual effect of obscuring the location of the two-way mirror2.

FIG. 25 shows an extension of the wall section 67 to cover the full wallsurface of the telepresence module 53. Below the line of view 65 thewall section 67 appears as a continuation in the reflected wall section68. However, above the line of sight 65 the pattern is reflected in themirror 58 as a pattern 72 that is reflected to appear at 90 degrees.

FIG. 26 shows the addition of a second set of lines to produce a patternof squares at 45 degrees. These could represent a wall covered withsquare tiles set at 45 degrees. Below the line of view 65 the wallsection 73 with the square pattern is reflected in the two-way mirror 2as a geometric pattern 74 that appears to be a seamless extension. Thissame pattern of the wall 73 is reflected in the mirror 58 as a wallsection 75 that also appears to be a seamless extension.

FIG. 27 shows one of the important aspects of a telepresence solution,which is a work surface 46 to incorporate a means for the user 1 tointeract with the communications system. This may be a table 46 withintegrated technology for interaction, such as a touch screen orinteractive surface. The surface of this interactive device 46 needs tobe clearly viewed by the user. Also, the user 1 needs to be brightlyilluminated to be seen clearly by the camera in the telepresence system.If a light fixture 56 is placed in the ceiling 54 it may cast light 76on the surface of the interactive table 46, which could reflect into theeyes of the user 1. This could make it difficult for the user to clearlysee the displays within the interactive table 46.

FIG. 28 illustrates how a light fixture 56 could incorporate an angledgrill or optical system to direct light 77 forward at 45 degrees to beangled away from the eyes of the user 1 and not directed at theinteractive table 46.

FIG. 29 shows the light fixture 56 with light directed at 45 degrees 77toward the vertical mirror 58 with the reflected light cast on the user1. The light 78 is not cast on the interactive table 46.

FIG. 30 shows a second light fixture 57 that casts light 79 on the topof the user 1 to provide a desirable highlight on the head andshoulders. This light 79 casts light on the interactive table 46 but itis reflected in a direction 87 away from the user 1.

FIG. 31 shows a plan view of a telepresence module 53, which is shown inside views in FIGS. 19 through 30. There may be one or more users 1seated at an interactive table 46. The module has a vertical mirror 58and a two-way mirror 2 with an image display device 3.

FIG. 32 shows a larger configuration of a telepresence module 88. Users1 are also in a second row on a riser 80. The second row of users areraised enough to clearly view the display 3. The interactive table 46needs to be positioned far enough back from the two-way mirror 2 so thata line of sight 65 reflected off the two-way mirror 2 and the line ofsight 91 does not overlap the top of the interactive table 46.

FIG. 33 is a plan view of FIG. 32. The two-way mirror 2 and the verticalmirror 58 extend into the side walls of the telepresence module 88. Thefront row may include three users 1 at an interactive table 46 and asecond row on a riser 80 may include four users 1;

FIG. 34 shows a side view with a backdrop 5 that is large enough to spanthe full angle of view 4 as it is viewed by the user 1 as a reflectionoff the two-way mirror 2. This backdrop 5 may be a panel that is hunginto a horizontal position above the two-way mirror 2. The backdrop 5may be attached to a ceiling surface or may be an integral component ofa ceiling. The backdrop 5 may be illuminated with a light 92. The light92 may be hidden from view of the user 1 with the placement of a lightbaffle 93.

FIG. 35 shows FIG. 34 with the angle of view 4 through the two-waymirror 2 encompassing the full height of the image display device 3 withthe reflected backdrop 6. The configuration may be positioned so thatthe vertical surface 15 and the reflected backdrop 6 appear to be on thesame vertical plane. It may produce a perception of a seamless wallsurface if the composition of the backdrop 5 matches the composition ofthe vertical panel 15. The composition of the backdrop 5 may be anacoustic panel, graphic panel or decorative panel that would appear tobe natural in a placement on both the vertical plane and overheadhorizontal plane.

FIG. 36 shows a plan view of FIGS. 34 and 35 with the angle of view 4through the two-way mirror 2 to encompass the full width of the imagedisplay device 3 with reflected backdrop 6. The configuration may bepositioned so that a wall panel 15 matches the vertical plane of thereflected backdrop 6.

FIG. 37 is a variation of FIG. 36 with the user 1 positioned off thecentral axis with an angle of view 17 through the two-way mirror 2 tothe full width of the image display device 3 to view of the reflectedbackdrop 6. In this angle of view 17 it is may be necessary for thereflected backdrop to be wider than in the angle of view 4 in FIG. 36.In commercial applications it may be determined that the width of thebackdrop 5 in FIGS. 34 and 35 are limited in width to a practical sizeeven though the reflected backdrop 6 may not cover the full off axisfield of view 17.

FIG. 38 is a side view of an embodiment comprised of a two-way mirror 2,an image display device 3 and an overhead backdrop 5 that is not flat.The backdrop 5 may be an irregular surface in the form of a singlecurve, multiple curves or a multi-faceted surface. It may be a surfacethat is curved in a single direction, such as a flat panel that is bentto form a curve. The curved panel may be curved to the radius of acircle, a parabolic curve or a curve derived from a formula to directthe reflection of sound. The backdrop 5 may be a surface in the form ofa compound curve, such as a segment of a sphere, a segment of aparaboloid or a concave surface derived from a formula to focus thereflection of sound from a source to a predetermined zone.

The two-way mirror 2 is large enough to cover the field of view 4 ofuser 1 to see the full image display device 3 with the backdrop 5 beingreflected into a position 6 behind the image display device 3. However,the two-way mirror 2 does not extend to meet the horizontal plane 99 atthe bottom of the image display device 3. Instead, a vertical panel 98is positioned below the bottom of the field of view 4. By shortening thetwo-way mirror 2 at this position the user 1 does not see a reflectionof himself in the two-way mirror 2 or a reflection of the ceilingoutside the coverage of the overhead backdrop 5. The vertical panel 98may be transparent to allow for viewing of the image display device 3from a lower position, such as from a wheel chair. The embodiment may beincorporated into a kiosk or lectern.

FIG. 39 shows a side view of FIG. 38 with the embodiment of the visualdisplay system mounted on a structural component 95, which could be awall or a free standing supportive structure. The backdrop 5 could behung from a ceiling or could be held in position with a supportingcomponent 96, which could be a wall or free standing supportingstructure. A brace 97 may be added to hold the backdrop 5 in position.

FIG. 40 shows a curved backdrop 5 that extends to meet an extendedtwo-way mirror 2. The backdrop 5 may meet the two-way mirror 5 atapproximately 90 degrees to create a perception of a continuation of thecurve into the reflected backdrop 6.

FIG. 41 is a front view of a user 1 looking forward through a two-waymirror 2 to see an image display device 3 with an overhead backdrop 5that is not flat. Compared to the curved backdrop 5 in FIG. 38 that maybe a single curve from the front to back, the backdrop 5 in FIG. 41 maybe a single curve from the left to the right. The backdrop 5 may be anirregular surface in the form of a single curve, multiple curves or amulti-faceted surface. It may be a surface that is curved in a singledirection, such as a flat panel that is bent to form a curve. The curvedpanel may be curved to the radius of a circle, a parabolic curve or acurve derived from a formula to direct the reflection of sound. Like thebackdrop in FIG. 38, the backdrop 5 may be a surface in the form of acompound curve, such as a segment of a sphere, a segment of a paraboloidor a concave surface derived from a formula to focus the reflection ofsound from a source to a predetermined zone.

FIG. 42 is a plan view of FIG. 41 with a backdrop that is not flat. Inthis configuration the field of view 4 from the user 1 views through thetwo-way mirror 2 at the full width of the image display device 3 withthe reflection of the irregular backdrop 6 appearing behind.

FIG. 43 is a side view of FIGS. 38 and 39 with a user 1 in front of thevisual display system with a two-way mirror 2 and image display device3. An audio speaker 100 is placed above the image display device 3 andis angled to project sound toward the middle of the concave backdrop 5.The backdrop 5 is formed in a concave curve that is optimal forreflecting sound toward the zone of the user 1.

The concave curve of the backdrop 5 may be calculated by plotting anumber of vectors as shown with 111 through 113. Vector 111 is directedvertically toward the backdrop 5, which is angled at this point ofintersection to reflect in the direction of vector 114 toward the zoneof the user 1. Vector 112 is directed to the middle of the backdrop 5.At this point of intersection the backdrop 5 is angled to reflect in thedirection of vector 115 to the zone of the user 1. Vector 113 isdirected to the outer edge of the backdrop 5. At this point ofintersection the backdrop 5 is angled to reflect vector 113 in thedirection of vector 116 toward the zone of the user 1. In order to plota smooth curve it may be necessary to plot a large number of vectorsacross the curve of the backdrop. It may be possible to create a formulafor a computer to calculate a smooth curve that would reflect sound froma location of a speaker 100 to a focal point in the location of a user1.

The concave curve of the backdrop 5 may be a single plane that has beenformed to the plotted curve from the front to the back of the visualdisplay system. Or the backdrop 5 may be a compound curve that is basedon the plotted curve of the side view and the plotted curve of the frontview.

FIG. 44 shows a front view of FIGS. 41 and 42 with a user 1 lookingforward through a two-way mirror 2 toward an image display device 3 witha backdrop 5 in a concave curve. An audio speaker 41 is positioned abovethe image display device 3. The curve of the backdrop 5 is calculated inthe same method as described for FIG. 43. The vectors from the speaker100 project toward the backdrop 5 in the directions of 121 through 124.The curvature of the backdrop 5 is plotted to reflect the sound from theaudio speaker 100 toward the zone of the user 100 by the vectors 125through 128.

The concave curvature of the backdrop 5 may be a single plane that iscurved from the left to the right. Or the backdrop 5 may be a compoundcurve as described in FIG. 43.

FIG. 45 is the same configuration as FIG. 43, except that this figureillustrates the placement of a microphone in a position close to thespeaker 41 shown in FIG. 43. The curvature of FIG. 43 is the same as thecurvature of FIG. 45. The difference is that the direction of the soundis in the opposite direction. In FIG. 45 the vectors 131 through 133project from the zone of the voice of the user 1. This sound of thevoice of the user 1 is reflected off the backdrop 5 in the direction ofthe vectors 134 through 136 toward the microphone 101.

FIG. 46 is a front view of FIG. 44 with the user 1 facing the visualdisplay system with a view through the two-way mirror 2 to the imagedisplay device 3. The curvature of the backdrop 5 is the same as FIG.44, except that the audio speaker 41 of FIG. 44 is show as a microphone42. The voice of the user 1 is projected out in vectors 141 through 144and reflected off the backdrop 5 in the direction of vectors 145 through148 toward the microphone 42.

FIG. 47 shows a side view of a configuration of the visual displaysystem with a user 1 in front of a kiosk 14. A camera 40 has an angle ofview 45 toward the user 1. A light 92 is positioned above the monitor 3to illuminate a vertical panel 106. A baffle 93 may be placed in frontof the light 92 to block light from being directly viewed by the user 1.The vertical panel 106 may be white or light in value to reflect lightto illuminate the backdrop 5. The vertical panel 106 may be comprised ofa sound absorbing material to improve the acoustic properties of thevisual display system for receiving and projecting audio. A touch screen43 is positioned for easy access by a user 1. The touch screen may beused for selecting content to be displayed on the image display device 3of the visual display system.

FIG. 48 shows FIG. 47 with the user 1 in a wheel chair 160. The touchscreen 108 is angled downward to be clearly visible and easilyaccessible by the user 1 in the wheel chair 160. The camera 40 has anangle of view 45 to see the user 1. The user 1 can view through thetwo-way mirror 2 to the image display device 3 as it appears in front ofthe reflected backdrop 6.

FIG. 49 shows the image display system of FIG. 47 with the addition ofside panels 150 and supporting structure 151 to support the backdrop 5.The side panels 150 may be mirrored facing the inside of the imagedisplay system. The side panels 150 may be covered with promotionalgraphics or a decorative material facing the outside of the imagedisplay system. The supporting panels 151 may be transparent to allowfor a view into the image display system from the side. The supportingpanels 151 may be glass that is tempered or laminated for safety.Alternatively, the supporting panels 151 may be a clear plastic, such asAcrylic or Lexan.

FIG. 50 is a plan view of FIGS. 47 through 49. The user 1 has an angleof view 4 that views the full width of the image display device 3 and atotal width of a reflected backdrop 13 comprised of the reflectedbackdrop 6 and the reflected backdrop sections 11 of the reflection offthe mirrored side panels 153.

FIG. 51 is a perspective view of FIGS. 47 through 50. The kioskstructure 14 provides support. This structure 14 could be comprised ofmetal, plastic, wood, glass or other material. A touch screen 108 ispositioned at the front of the system. The two-way mirror 2 is angledinto position in front of the image display device 3. The backdrop 5 isheld in position by the side panels 150. These side panels 150 could betransparent or could be comprised of an interior surface of mirror withan exterior surface of a graphic panel.

FIG. 52 is a perspective view of FIGS. 6 and 7. A telepresence system164 is comprised of an image display device 3 behind a two-way mirror 2.A wall panel 15 is the same distance from the two-way mirror 2 as abackdrop in the telepresence system 164, which achieves a visual effectof a continuous plane at the position of the wall panel 15. A flatscreen monitor 165 is positioned in front of the telepresence system tobe used for the display of visual content and data for collaboration. Atable 166 is placed in front of the telepresence system 164 for users.

Although the present invention and its advantages have been described indetail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions andalterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, thescope of the present application is not intended to be limited to theparticular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, compositionof matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. Asone of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from thedisclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture,compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing orlater to be developed, that perform substantially the same function orachieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodimentsdescribed herein may be utilized according to the present invention.Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within theirscope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter,means, methods, or steps.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image display system comprising: an imagedisplay device having an image area positioned within a first plane, thefirst plane positioned for viewing by a user in an observation zone; atwo-way mirror positioned laterally between the observation zone and theimage display device; and a non-spherical concave backdrop over thetwo-way mirror and positioned such that a reflection of thenon-spherical concave backdrop in the two-way mirror appears within areflected zone, the reflected zone being further away from theobservation zone than the first plane, the two-way mirror being disposedat least partially in an intermediate zone, the intermediate zone beingdirectly under the non-spherical concave backdrop and defined by outeredges of the non-spherical concave backdrop projecting directlydownward, the non-spherical concave backdrop further being positioned tofocus a reflection of sound from a speaker proximate the image displaydevice to a focal point in the observation zone and outside of theintermediate zone.
 2. The image display system of claim 1, wherein thenon-spherical concave backdrop is a concave curve.
 3. The image displaysystem of claim 1, wherein the non-spherical concave backdrop is a curvethat meets the two-way mirror at 90 degrees.
 4. The image display systemof claim 1, wherein the non-spherical concave backdrop is positioned tofocus a voice of the user in the observation zone to a microphone. 5.The image display system of claim 1, wherein a camera is positioned toview the observation zone.
 6. The image display system of claim 1,wherein the non-spherical concave backdrop comprises a simple curvedsurface.
 7. The image display system of claim 1, wherein thenon-spherical concave backdrop comprises a compound curved surface. 8.The image display system of claim 1, wherein the non-spherical concavebackdrop comprises an ovaloid surface.
 9. An image display systemcomprising: an image display device; a two-way mirror disposed laterallybetween an observation zone and the image display device; and a backdropcomprising a non-spherical curved surface above the two-way mirror, thetwo-way mirror being positioned to reflect the non-spherical curvedsurface in a reflection zone, the reflection zone being viewable fromthe observation zone, the image display device being disposed laterallybetween the observation zone and the reflection zone, the two-way mirrorbeing disposed at least partially in an intermediate zone, theintermediate zone being directly under the backdrop and defined by outeredges of the non-spherical curved surface projecting directly downward,the backdrop being positioned to reflect and focus sound from an audiodevice proximate the image display device to a focal point in theobservation zone and outside of the intermediate zone.
 10. The imagedisplay system of claim 9, wherein the non-spherical curved surface isconfigured and positioned to reflect and focus sound from theobservation zone to the audio device.
 11. The image display system ofclaim 9, wherein the non-spherical curved surface is a simple curve. 12.The image display system of claim 9, wherein the non-spherical curvedsurface is a compound curve.
 13. The image display system of claim 9,wherein the non-spherical curved surface is an ovaloid.
 14. The imagedisplay system of claim 9 further comprising a camera positioned to viewthe observation zone.
 15. An image display system comprising: an imagedisplay device positioned from an observation zone, the image displaydevice being viewable from the observation zone; a two-way mirrordisposed laterally between an observation zone and the image displaydevice; a curved surface above the image display device, the curvedsurface being positioned relative to the two-way mirror and theobservation zone such that a reflection of the curved surface off of thetwo-way mirror is viewable from the observation zone, the two-way mirrorbeing disposed at least partially in an intermediate zone, theintermediate zone being directly under the curved surface and defined byouter edges of the curved surface projecting directly downward; and anaudio device positioned relative to the curved surface and theobservation zone such that (i) sound from the observation zone andoutside of the intermediate zone is reflected off of the curved surfaceto and focused to the audio device, (ii) sound from the audio device isreflected off of the curved surface to and focused to a focal point inthe observation zone and outside of the intermediate zone, or (iii) acombination thereof.
 16. The image display system of claim 15, whereinthe audio device comprises a speaker and a microphone.
 17. The imagedisplay system of claim 9, wherein the non-spherical curved surface is aconcave portion of an ellipsoid.
 18. The image display system of claim15, wherein the curved surface is a concave portion of an ellipsoid. 19.The image display system of claim 15 further comprising a camerapositioned to view the observation zone.